Night Vision Display Pulse Timing for Long-Range Low-Noise Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing night vision display devices for vehicles face challenges in securing clear images of distant objects due to increased noise caused by external light, especially when trying to detect objects at longer distances.
Innovation Solution
A night vision display device that includes an optical pulse output unit, a photographing unit with image sensors, and a control unit. The control unit calculates distance data using brightness ratios of light received with different delay times, allowing for the detection of farther distances without increasing the output time width of pulsed light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the output time of light is increased to detect objects at long distance, then the detection distance is improved, but the noise from external light increases and image clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed light emission instead of continuous light output. The light source emits light in periodic pulses, and the image sensor is activated only during specific pulse periods. This periodic action allows the system to accumulate light signals over multiple pulses while maintaining a narrow effective detection window, thereby extending detection distance without proportionally increasing external light noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary synchronization between the light source emission timing and the image sensor activation timing. The control unit pre-coordinates the pulse output timing with the sensor activation timing, ensuring the sensor is activated only during periods when reflected pulse light is expected. This preliminary action prevents the sensor from being activated during periods when only external light is present, thereby reducing noise while maintaining detection capability.
2Length of stationary object
If the output time width of pulsed light is increased to measure farther distances, then the measurable distance is extended, but the noise from external light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed light emission with the image sensor activated only during specific pulse periods. By accumulating signals from multiple periodic pulses and synchronizing sensor activation with expected reflection arrival times, the system extends measurable distance without proportionally increasing the noise impact from external light.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-coordinates the pulse output timing with the sensor activation timing based on expected light travel time to the target distance. This preliminary synchronization ensures the sensor is activated only during periods when reflected pulse light is expected to arrive, thereby extending measurable distance while minimizing capture of external light noise.
3Reliability
If the image sensor is continuously activated to capture light signals, then the detection capability is improved, but the noise from external light increases and image clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is activated periodically only during specific pulse periods when reflected light from the pulsed light source is expected to arrive. This periodic activation maintains detection capability by capturing signals from multiple pulses while significantly reducing noise by keeping the sensor inactive during periods when only external light is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-coordinates the sensor activation timing with the expected arrival time of reflected pulse light based on the light source emission timing and the distance to the target. This preliminary timing coordination ensures the sensor is activated only when useful signal is expected, maintaining detection capability while minimizing external light noise capture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution minimizes noise and enhances image clarity by extending the measurable distance without increasing the output time width of pulsed light, thereby improving visibility of distant objects.
Implementation Method 1
a photographing unit provided with an image sensor which forms a plurality of images using pulsed light reflected by an external object
Implementation Method 2
the control unit calculates distance information related to an object displayed in each pixel by using data related to a brightness ratio of each pixel of the final image and a brightness ratio for a distance
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided is a night vision output device comprising: an optical pulse output unit for outputting pulsed light at specific periods; a photographing unit having an image sensor for forming a plurality of images by using pulsed light reflected by an external object; a display unit for outputting a final image formed by synthesizing the plurality of images; and a control unit for calculating distance information of an object displayed in each pixel by using data of a brightness ratio for a distance and a brightness ratio for each pixel of the final image, wherein, in one frame, the control unit controls the image sensor such that the image sensor is activated while having different delay times on the basis of an output termination time of the pulsed light.